Learning Ethics Online

4.16 Learning Ethics Online

Cases: 5.8, 6.6 Controversial? Perhaps, depending on what it means to “learn” ethics. If learning

ethics means adopting behavioral practices advocated by a professional association, then learning ethics online might work. Consider the online ethics course prepared by the Florida City/County Management Association (FCCMA). (The FCCMA website is at http://www.fccma.org/.)

Th e FCCMA has placed online a set of cases linked to the twelve tenets in the ICMA code along with a set of questions asking the learner to select the “right”

choice. Here’s a case example. Th e recently hired, first-time city manager of a “university town” and his wife are invited by the president of the university to join him in the president’s suite at the upcoming football game as a way to introduce the manager to the university. Th e university president indicates that they will also be joined by the mayor, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, the CEO of the regional power company, and several other community leaders who are football fans and supporters of the university. Even though the city manager is not a huge football fan, he feels that it is important that he establish a positive relationship with the president and com- munity leaders.

Th e city manager checks the city charter and state law and does not find any guidance as to any restrictions that would prohibit him from accepting the invita- tion. The university and the city have enjoyed a great relationship over the years and there are no pending projects between the city and the university.

Th e manager considers a number of factors regarding a decision to accept the invitation to attend the football game: (1) The manager wants to get to know the university president better (as well as other community leaders) and make

a good first impression. (2) The “first” city manager’s position salary does not afford the manager with much disposable income to afford tickets to the foot- ball game. (3) The manager is concerned that not accepting the invitation could damage the positive “town and gown” relationship that exists. (4) The mayor

stops by to see the manager to let him know how much he is looking forward to introducing him to the college football weekend experience. (5) The manager’s wife really wants to attend a big-time college football game and sit in the presi- dent’s skybox.

Encouraging Ethical Behavior ◾ 131

Discussion Questions

1. What should the manager do?

2. Should he accept or not accept the tickets?

3. Can one learn ethics from online courses?

Commentary by Author

Ethics are often regarded as a very personal set of values or principles that are acquired early in life from one’s parents, friends, church, or community. By adult-

hood, it is suggested, one’s ethical worldview is in place and little can be done to change it. This view is contested by those who contend that human beings experi- ence different levels and stages of moral development. Kohlberg (1981) posits three levels with six stages. The three levels are pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. At the pre-conventional level, typically exemplified by chil- dren, “right” and “wrong” are defined by punishment and obedience. At the con- ventional level, where most adolescents and adults reason, one judges the morality of action in response to societal views and expectations. Social norms and group values such as following the Golden Rule and obeying the law are important. At the post-conventional level, one engages in abstract moral reasoning. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, for example, are examples of individuals who embraced universal ethical principles that justified disobedience to laws.

Learning ethics online? Not likely if one accepts Kohlberg’s theory of moral development.